Sebastian Coates says Sunderland’s growing South American contingent has made settling in on Wearside a cinch.

Uruguayan international Coates is expected to make his debut in tonight’s Capital One Cup third round tie against Stoke City at the Stadium of Light, after recovering from a minor knock that has kept him out since he arrived.

Aside from Coates, Sunderland have the Argentine duo of Ricky Alvarez and Santiago Vergini in their ranks - along with Uruguayan boss Gus Poyet and his Argentine assistant Mauricio Taricco - which has made it easy for him to settle since joining the Black Cats on loan from Liverpool on deadline day.

Coates said: “For me, it’s really good to have a South American manager and for him too.

“We have Santi and Ricky here as well. They’re in the same position.

“Sometimes, I’m having to be the translator, particularly for Ricky because he doesn’t speak any English.

“It’s been hard for Ricky going straight in because he’s come from Italian football and it’s not like in England at all.

“But I think he did well on his debut and played well. He’s a great player, so he will be ready for the Premier League I’m sure.”

Coates is set to make his debut in central defence, with veteran Wes Brown the most likely man to make way to avoid him playing three games in a week.

The 23-year-old played alongside some experienced defenders at Liverpool, and he says working with the likes of the former Manchester United duo of Brown and John O’Shea can only help him improve.

He said: “They have both played at Man U and for me that’s a great experience after playing with [Jamie] Carragher, [Daniel] Agger and [Martin] Skrtel at Liverpool.

“Now I’m with John and Wes. For me, that’s really good.

“Maybe the cup game will be a good chance for me.

“But you never know. You must train hard every day to be ready for the game.”